Lions, Seahawks draw

Friday

Sep 16, 2011 at 2:00 AM

In an evenly matched and well-played game, the Pope John Paul II Lions and Cape Cod Academy Seahawks girls’ varsity soccer teams played to a 1-1 draw in their first competition against each other this season.

Kathleen Szmit

ON THE OFFENSIVE – CCA’s Mona Yusuf (13) snags the ball away from PJP2’s Taylor Grillo (9) during game play at CCA Sept. 14.

CCA and PJP2 girls soccer end at 1-1 tie

In an evenly matched and well-played game, the Pope John Paul II Lions and Cape Cod Academy Seahawks girls’ varsity soccer teams played to a 1-1 draw in their first competition against each other this season.

Both goals came in the game’s second half, but stepped-up play from each team made for an exciting beginning-of-the-season Sept. 14 match.

The Lions kept the ball in front of the Seahawks’ net for a good part of the game’s start, putting the ball in scoring position several times, but CCA goalie Gabby Fosdick was ready, quickly stopping each shot.

The same went for PJP2 goalie Madison Grenier, who prevented several Seahawks from finding the back of the net.

It wasn’t until partway into the second that the score changed, with CCA’s Mona Yusuf sending in a shot that looked like it was deflected by Grenier, but was deemed successfully over the line.

Down 1-0, the Lions continued to fight, with freshman Maggie Murphy finally eking a shot past Fosdick to tie the game.

While both teams had chances in the game’s final minutes, neither team was able to materialize another goal before the game-ending whistle.

For PJP2 head coach Patricia Morano, the game was one to savor, since CCA has proven a formidable opponent in the past.

“They’re such a great team to coach,” she said.

Assistant coach John Pupa felt it was a well-played game on both sides.

“Both teams played aggressive to the ball,” he said. “Can’t say a bad thing about either team.”

The Lions saw solid play from Taylor Grillo, Lexi Cornwall and Sheila Hufnagle, as well as Zoe Wright and Jenna Cornwall.

CCA head coach Aaron Crowell also felt positively about the game.

“It was a well-played game,” he said. “[Morano] coaches with a lot of class, so a lot of sportsmanship.”

Injuries required a roster shuffle for the Seahawks, but Crowell said his team was largely unfazed.

“We lost a captain center defender who was one of our primary players on the field, and I put in a forward who has some defensive experience, pulled somebody up who just made varsity this week, Jean Espouteille, and she was phenomenal. I completely underestimated her.”

Crowell also praised the efforts of Jillian Zelman, who came in for Alex Stidham.

“I was really impressed,” he said. “This squad fights and they really work well together.”

The Lions host Cape Cod Tech Sept. 19 at PJP2, while the Seahawks take on Nantucket Sept. 19 at home. Both teams are 1-1.